In the largest aerial assault on Kyiv since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russian forces launched an overwhelming barrage of 309 drones and 8 cruise missiles overnight, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 132, including 14 children. The attack left a trail of destruction across 27 locations in the Ukrainian capital, crippling vital infrastructure and devastating residential neighborhoods.
Killing of Civilians in Kyiv: Among the Dead, a Six-Year-Old Child
As confirmed by Ukrainian officials on Thursday, 13 civilians lost their lives, among them a six-year-old child. The Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported that 14 children were injured in the onslaught, including a five-month-old baby girl. This incident now ranks as the deadliest single attack involving children since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Medical teams across the capital responded swiftly, though overwhelmed by the scale of the carnage. Hospitals treated dozens for shrapnel wounds, burns, and trauma, while makeshift clinics were set up near the most heavily hit districts of Solominskiy and Sviatoshinsky.
Partial Collapse of Residential Buildings: Families Trapped Under Debris
One of the most severe structural impacts occurred in a nine-story residential block in central Kyiv. According to Timur Tkachenko, the head of the city’s military administration, a major section of the building collapsed following a direct strike. Emergency responders worked throughout the night to pull survivors from the rubble.
Among the survivors was Yana Zhaborova, a 35-year-old mother of two. Her apartment was struck while her children—aged five months and five years—were asleep. “It’s just stress and shock, nothing is left,” she said, standing near the collapsed ruins of her home. Her remarks capture the raw despair of many Kyiv residents who now face life in ruined homes with limited access to electricity and running water.
Massive Destruction Across 27 Areas of the Capital
Over 100 buildings were damaged during the sustained overnight assault. These include schools, universities, hospitals, kindergartens, and numerous residential complexes. Damage reports from municipal authorities detailed:
Complete destruction of 7 buildings
Partial structural damage in 36 buildings
Critical infrastructure damage in 4 hospitals
Fires breaking out in at least 11 residential locations
Air defense sirens blared continuously through the night as residents rushed to underground shelters. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that power outages and communication blackouts affected hundreds of households across the city.
Air Force Confirms 309 Drones Launched, 288 Intercepted
Ukraine’s Air Force Command released a detailed account of the overnight onslaught. According to official reports:
309 drones (mostly Shahed-136 kamikaze drones) were deployed
8 cruise missiles, including Kalibr and Kh-101, were launched
Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepted 288 drones and 3 missiles
21 drones and 5 missiles penetrated air defenses, causing massive explosions in key civilian zones
Despite advancements in anti-air systems and widespread deployment of Western-supplied air defense shields, the volume and speed of the attack overwhelmed Ukrainian radar and missile batteries, leaving strategic areas exposed.
Widespread Power Failures and Civilian Panic
The attack led to citywide blackouts, with several districts reporting loss of heating and water services. Public transportation halted during and after the strikes, further disrupting life in the already fragile capital.
As panic spread, thousands sought refuge in metro stations, with underground platforms converted into emergency shelters. Volunteers distributed water, blankets, and medicine. Kyiv’s emergency alert system was triggered more than 20 times throughout the night—its highest number of activations in a 12-hour window since the war began.
Eastern Ukraine Also Targeted: Kramatorsk Hit by Missile Strike
While Kyiv bore the brunt of the attack, eastern Ukraine wasn’t spared. In Kramatorsk, a five-story residential complex was struck by a missile, according to Vadim Filyashkin, the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration.
1 person was killed
11 others sustained critical injuries
Dozens displaced as the building’s upper floors collapsed entirely
Drone footage from Kramatorsk showed scorched rooftops and thick plumes of smoke rising over a devastated skyline. Emergency crews rushed to evacuate the elderly and injured, with regional hospitals running at near capacity.
Psychological Toll Mounts Among Kyiv Residents
Beyond physical destruction, the psychological trauma among Kyiv residents is becoming increasingly visible. Psychologists working in emergency shelters report a surge in cases of anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorders, especially among children and mothers. Educational institutions across the capital remained closed Thursday, with many expected to shift to online instruction indefinitely.
International Condemnation and Response
The international community responded swiftly to the latest escalation. The European Union condemned the assault as a “flagrant war crime,” while the U.S. State Department called for increased sanctions against Russia.
Global leaders including President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz released statements expressing solidarity with Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hinted at an accelerated delivery of defense systems and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Kyiv Vows Retaliation and Strengthening of Air Defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a late-night address, vowed that “every Russian act of terror will be met with justice.” He confirmed talks with defense partners to enhance Ukraine’s long-range missile systems, and requested additional Patriot and IRIS-T units.
“We will rebuild. We will protect our children. We will fight until our skies are safe,” Zelenskyy declared.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in the Conflict
The scale, precision, and sheer audacity of this massive overnight strike on Kyiv marks a chilling turning point in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. With hundreds of buildings damaged, scores of children injured, and civilian morale under severe pressure, the need for intensified international support and strategic military reinforcement has never been more urgent.
As Kyiv wakes to another day of war, the resilience of its people stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the attacks they endured. But the question remains: how long can Ukraine hold off an enemy this relentless without stronger global intervention?
